Happy Birthday
This week there are two birthdays in my family. My second grandson, Elliot, will be 25 on Saturday. My second great-grandson, Luca, is one year old today. Elliot and Luca are cousins, not quite first cousins as Luca’s mother, Kiri, is Elliot’s first cousin. She is three years older than him
Celebrating birthdays was not always a commonly held tradition. It is only in the last century and a half that it has become customary for everyone to celebrate their birthdays. Before that only notable, important figures like rulers, Pharaohs for example, were celebrated.
However, Pharaohs did not celebrate their birthdays on the date they were born but on the day they were crowned. Pharaohs became gods at their coronation and so were reborn.
In Ancient Rome only men were allowed to acknowledge birthdays.
The song traditionally sung on birthdays started as a greeting song to be sung in classrooms. ‘Good morning to all’ was written in the late nineteenth century and the melody was adopted by ‘Happy birthday to you.’
During the 18th century German bakers started making cakes to celebrate children’s birthdays but it was the Ancient Greeks who are credited with putting candles on cakes. They made moon cakes as offerings to Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, and put candles on them. The crescent moon is a symbol associated with Artemis.
Luca on the beach this summer with his sister AriellaI think the celebrations for Luca and Elliot will be very different but I hope they both enjoy their days.
Elliot at another cousin's wedding last year
Happy Birthday to both of them! I did not know all that about celebrations and cakes.
ReplyDeleteI think celebrations can go rather overboard and then there's
Deletea feeling of anti-climax.
One shouldn't laugh at the misfortune of children but I'm afraid I did, out loud.
ReplyDeleteI laugh every time I watch it as he trundles back, covered in sand, no doubt to repeat the performance.
DeleteHappy birthday to Elliot and Luca. Wishing them a fabulous year ahead!
ReplyDeleteI never had birthday celebrations in my house. My parents didn't like it. We just mentioned it on that day. Even now, there is no celebration like a party or something. We just make some sweets at home, and go to the temple.
For my son's birthday, when he was young and was with us here, many years, we have donated lunch at a orphanage or a similar institution.
I think that's a lovely way to commemorate a birthday.
DeleteHi Janice - happy birthday to both ... bet Luca has the best ... youngsters love these times - while once older we treasure these memories. Interesting history about the birth day ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteBirthdays are really important to children, as is age . . . 'I'm 6 and three-quarters' they proudly tell you:-)
DeleteHow quickly they all grow up, we don't have any great granschildren, yet!
ReplyDeleteThey do grow up so quickly. There are 25 years exactly between my eldest and youngest grandchildren.
DeleteHappy birthday :)
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do on special occasions - send out invitations? a big birthday cake with candles? bring presents? play games? take lots of photos centred on the birthday boy/girl?
We have a small birthday tea on the day. The younger children may have a party/activity with friends. The adults make their own amusements. I would prefer my birthday to pass unnoticed but it doesn't happen.
ReplyDeleteMe too! I have had 49th birthday coffee in bed for decades now ha ha
DeleteHaHa! Elliot! Elliot! The shoes! The shoes! :O).
ReplyDeleteItalian 'winkle~pickers' Bless! :). Bet you bought
them in Primark..couple years ago..! They look
so familiar...! Do you pay 'ground rent'...HeHe! :O).
Seriously though...I look forward to my Burfday,
and Christmas...Just had a Burfday, 21st Sept.
St. Matthews Day...Lasted over three days, and
again on the Sunday, more cards and prezzies...!
Yes! So Happy Burfdays all round....! :O).
🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂 🎂
Birthdays often carry on over several days;-)
ReplyDeleteHonestly I never thought why we celebrate birthdays ! The only important thing were the gifts !! Your grandson is a handsome man ! and you are already great great grandma ! I just made it to a 12 soon 13 year old grandson. Who I think starts puberty now (HELP !)
ReplyDeleteWow! You've been let off lightly with Toby - and there's a special relationship between grandparents and grandchildren, so you might find yourself called upon by him more than ever. It's a privilege:-)
DeleteHappy birthday to both! Interesting to read about the history of birthday celebrations. Poor Luca, though, particularly since his misfortune was caught on camera ... xxx
ReplyDeleteLuca wasn't in the least bothered - he just wanted to get back to digging! :-) x x x
ReplyDelete